March 2009 Archive

Mother-Daughter Knits..On Sale!

posted on March 23, 2009

After decades of teaching, designing, and writing about knitting, Sally Melville knows how to customize knitting patterns to fit a wide variety of body types perfectly. With a little planning and subtle alterations, you can make a garment that is just right for you!

In Mother-Daughter Knits, Sally shares this knowledge for the first time, with over 30 customizable patterns for women of all shapes, heights and ages. Together with her daughter, fellow knitwear designer Caddy, Sally demystifies the process of picking the right pattern and modifying it to your body’s advantage. Whether you’re a beginning or experienced knitter, young or mature, an hourglass or a triangle, Sally and Caddy have you covered!

— Allison

Origami Card Craft…On Sale!

posted on March 18, 2009

Why not design a card for your special someone?

With Origami Card Craft, you can impress your friends with origami-inspired cards, boxes, and envelopes that pop up, fan out, and even hold hidden messages. Wow your sweetie with the Fold-Out Heart card or give a thank you to be remembered with the Pinwheel card. With a few basic techniques under your belt and the endless opportunities that paper offers, there’s no limit to the awesome cards you can create so easily!

— Allison

Crafty Chica Contest Winner!

posted on March 9, 2009

As many of you know, we hosted a Crafty Chica-fied sweepstakes on Craftzine.com two weeks ago. Congratulations to our lucky winner, Lyn R. from Arizona, who took home this Janome Threadbanger sewing machine decorated by Kathy (aka Crafty Chica) and much much more!

Also, congratulations to ten lucky runners up who will each take home an autographed copy of Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing!

Stay tuned for a special blog post from the Crafty Chica!

— Allison

Some great reader submissions!

posted on March 5, 2009

Here at Potter Craft News, we just love when readers send us projects they’ve made from our books…and we love to share the wonderful photos with everyone! Take a look at some of the latest and greatest reader submissions.

Check out the Caution Tape Bag from Jodi Kahn’s Simply Sublime Bags

Here is the cutest “Knit Doorstop” from Erika Knight’s Classic Knits at Home

Take a look at these great Maine Morning Mittens from Clara Parkes’ The Knitter’s Book of Yarn

Feel free to send us a photo of something you’ve made! We love to see everyone’s creations!

— Allison

A Knitting and Tea event!

posted on March 3, 2009

Last Wednesday was the celebration of the release of Knitting and Tea - a coming-together of two of life’s most cozy pleasures. In the book, Jane Gottelier, the author, and Patrick Gottelier, the photographer - a husband-and-wife dynamic duo - travel the world from the tea plantations of Sri Lanka to the tea rooms of England. The book is packed with patterns for luscious garments, recipes for crazy-delicious desserts, and of course, the secrets of preparing the perfect cup of tea.

Jane and Patrick were visiting with their fashion students from University College, Falmouth, Cornwall. Fans flocked to Knitty City (NYC) to hear them speak, have their books signed, and enjoy some hot tea.

Patrick describes growing up in Sri Lanka among the tea plantations; students model the Somerset Cable Sweater (p. 56), the Summer House Sweater (p. 77), and the Cozy Capelet (p. 124).

As you all know, knitters knit anywhere and everywhere, and this chat certainly was no exception.

The experts answer questions about their long history in fashion (having started the ARTWORK fashion line in 1977) and their impressions of the next big trends. (That’s the back of Kay Gardiner’s head on the bottom right. A knitting celebrity in attendance!)

Jane mulls over a question about the new colors for the season. Grey is identified as recession-friendly! And yet, we may also end up seeing some bold hits of color on the runway very soon.

Patrick explains that at least one of the recipes in the book had to be slightly modified due to alcohol content that, if the dessert were overindulged in, would surely result in a DUI.

Knitting and Tea: On sale now!

- Erica

— Allison

Knitting and Tea..on sale!

posted on March 2, 2009

Knitting and Tea brings together these two classic traditions in all their beauty, charm, and poise. You’ll want to savor teatime as you sample delectable recipes that inspire and satisfy, while knitting designs that evoke classic elegance.

From a stately Cricket Sweater to lovely Tea Cozies, an embellished Cupcake Cardigan, and timeless Argyle Socks, the author shows you how knitting and tea can go hand-in-hand anywhere.